Addison Dunphy graduated from Westwood High School in Ishpeming Township, MI in 2023. At that point, she made a “last-minute” decision to continue her education at Bay—a decision that has already paid off in many ways.
One of the biggest reasons why Addison decided to study at Bay was the college’s location.
“I liked that it was close to home, but still far enough away that I could experience living in the dorms,” she said.
She was also interested in Bay’s relatively small campus.
“I thought as a community college, it would be more personal and it wouldn’t be so overwhelming,” Addison said.
Addison became a Bay College student in the Fall 2023 semester. So far, she said her college experience has been going smoothly.
“I’ve really enjoyed it. I feel like I’ve gotten to know people, and I’ve become a lot more confident here,” she said.
Addison’s classes have also been going well, and Bay’s small class sizes and dedicated instructors have helped.
“All the teachers I’ve had have been super helpful, and they’re always willing to explain any sort of confusion,” she said. Her teachers have also helped her catch up whenever she has had to miss classes.
Throughout the Fall 2023/Winter 2024 semesters, Addison received tutoring through Bay’s TRIO Student Support Services Program. She said this went a long way toward helping her understand her class material—especially when she took online classes last winter.
“Having a tutor re-explain the material to me helped me understand it better,” she said.
Although she is majoring in liberal arts, Addison has a minor in psychology. When she started studying at Bay, she had opted to major in social work, but her plans changed after taking a few psychology classes.
“Working with my advisor really helped me get a better understanding of what I wanted to do and what I really wanted for my future,” she said.
Currently, Addison plans to graduate from Bay after completing the Winter 2025 semester (and taking one class during the summer).
“Then, I plan to transfer that fall to Northern Michigan University,” she said.
After transferring, Addison aims to continue learning about psychology.
“At NMU, I’m planning on majoring in pre-clinical psychology. I plan to hopefully one day be a therapist or counselor; I’m not really sure,” she said.
According to Addison, Bay is a good place for new college students to start their higher education—no matter what career pathway they ultimately choose to follow.
“If you’re thinking about it, I’d definitely recommend it. It gives you really good experience, and it’s a very welcoming place,” she said.